Western Snowberry vs Northern Red Currant - TreeTime.ca

Western Snowberry vs Northern Red Currant

Ribes triste

Symphoricarpos occidentalis

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

Northern Red Currant
Western Snowberry

The Northern Red Currant is also known as the Swamp Red currant due to its preference for moist soil. As long as the soil is wet, this shrub can live in any degree of sunlight.

The currant itself is a bright red-purple berry enjoyed by many animals and some people for its sour flavour, similar to garden red currants. The flowers of this shrub are tiny and red or greenish-purple.

Like the Common Snowberry, the Western Snowberry is a small shrub with pink flowers useful for feeding livestock and preventing erosion. Unlike the common species, however, the Western Snowberry is much more suited to wet conditions, capable of persevering through poor soil drainage and occasional flooding.

After the Snowberry's flowers have bloomed, it produces berries which often last on the plant through winter. These berries are toxic to humans, but livestock and local wildlife love them! Those hoping to attract wildlife to their property can plant Snowberry and expect to see animals foraging on it much later in the year than other plants.

Northern Red Currant Quick Facts

Western Snowberry Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 1a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 0.8 m (2.5 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: any
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: shiny, sour, bright red
Berries: small, white, poisonous to humans
Flowers: reddish or greenish purple
Flowers: pinkish white
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: high




Toxicity: berries are toxic to humans
Other Names: swamp red currant
Other Names: buckbrush, wolfberry